5.4 clattering at startup

[crector080862]

Okay so I have a 2007 Ford Expedition with a 5.4 in it for the last couple of months on cold starts it clattering when I start it for about 2 seconds runs great no Miss everything I read said that the timing tensioner hydraulic valve thingamajigger I took it Ford cuz it has a warranty on it left it with them my question is would it throw a code if it was just the valve tensioner for the timing belt

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[JExpedition07]

Probably a tensioner issue. I’d Change the oil and try a Motorcraft FL-820S filter to see if you get any change, if not you should probably do chain and tensioners eventually down the road. Could also be your cat rattling for a few seconds on startup.

 

[crector080862]

The reason I'm asking is I took it to the Ford dealership and they're telling me that it's in the lower end and I need new engine and I keep they didn't even go into the car they just listen to it

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[Big Brian]

the only way to know is with a proper engine oil pressure test

did they do one?

could very well be the lower end

 

[gixer2000]

the only way to know is with a proper engine oil pressure test

did they do one?

could very well be the lower end

Its pretty doubtful. I'm very confident J already nailed it. I had the same issue only on cold starts and the motorcraft filter instead of aftermarket cleared it up. I will be doing a timing set shortly though

 

[crector080862]

Sorry we tried the oil filter I just changed it not even a month ago to the motorcraft oil filter no change
So the question Still Remains if it's suffering from low oil pressure causing the lower end to clatter wouldn't it throw code also why would it go away if it's like a worn bearing or something it would seem that it would continue to go on even after the car's been running

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[JExpedition07]

The clatter your hearing is when your starting the chain tensioners have slack and when oil pressure builds they tension the chain and it goes away. Proabably pieces broken off and or leaking seals. Sounds like your dealer is shady..... like most of them it seems.

 

[gixer2000]

Sorry we tried the oil filter I just changed it not even a month ago to the motorcraft oil filter no change
So the question Still Remains if it's suffering from low oil pressure causing the lower end to clatter wouldn't it throw code also why would it go away if it's like a worn bearing or something it would seem that it would continue to go on even after the car's been running

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Considering its only on cold start up and you've already started using the motorcraft filter you probably just need the timing components replaced. Bottom end knock doesn't go away but worn dampners/guide noise does once oil pressure builds after start up.

 

[Big Brian]

because oil pressure is building up and making up for the excessive clearance in the rod or crank bearings and quieting the rattle.

And yes bottom end knock can go away after startup if its just starting to go bad,

Very common I used to see it all the time on motors going bad when I worked on cars to feed my family

Really depends on what noise the actually sounds like. Impossible to diagnose on the internet. Should be pretty easy to tell if the noise is coming from the front of the motor or the bottom

It may or may not throw a code.

Did they do an oil pressure test or not?

If so what are the numbers?

 

[scoot0073]

Mine 03 Expedition 5.4 has been doing it for awhile also on cold start up.
But I noticed if I turn the switch on and wait about 5 seconds to start it doesn't do it.. idk what it is or causing it..

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[JExpedition07]

Let me ask you this, does it happen every startup or only after it’s sat for hours? If it’s after sitting a while only it’s your tensioners. Lower end does not make a chain slap clatter there is no such noise that will come from it.

 

[scoot0073]

Let me ask you this, does it happen every startup or only after it’s sat for hours? If it’s after sitting a while only it’s your tensioners. Lower end does not make a chain slap clatter there is no such noise that will come from it.

It does it after sitting 8 hours sometimes at work
And Everytime in the mornings on start up.

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[Big Brian]

I will give you the same advice I gave the op test your oil pressure you can rent a gauge from a parts store if you don't want to buy one or have it done by someone who knows what they are doing

 

[crector080862]

No they didn't do an oil pressure test which was bizarre I've never had a Ford mechanics a just drive it until it gets bad enough he just wanted me to save replace the engine he didn't want to break into it he said nobody does that anymore I have never heard that before so strange if I start it up in the morning and it makes it sound I can drive all day long starting and stopping it and it won't ever make that noise again then if I let it sit for an hour or two it'll do it but not as bad I will go and test my my oil pressure and I will let you know I will also take a video of the sound he says it's coming from under the car but I swear to God it's coming from the front of in car

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[Trainmaster]

A number of the New York dealers will no longer open up an engine to replace timing chains or tensioners. They say it's not worth the time and just sell a new short block or rebuilt engine.

 

[JExpedition07]

A number of the New York dealers will no longer open up an engine to replace timing chains or tensioners. They say it's not worth the time and just sell a new short block or rebuilt engine.

Plenty of threads on FTE and the like that the timing component problems still persist on current 3.5 ecoboost and 5.0 engines too, I guess ford should just close its doors on all owners. My experience has been ford dealers aren’t all that great when it comes to service.

 

[Adieu]

No they didn't do an oil pressure test which was bizarre I've never had a Ford mechanics a just drive it until it gets bad enough he just wanted me to save replace the engine he didn't want to break into it he said nobody does that anymore I have never heard that before so strange if I start it up in the morning and it makes it sound I can drive all day long starting and stopping it and it won't ever make that noise again then if I let it sit for an hour or two it'll do it but not as bad I will go and test my my oil pressure and I will let you know I will also take a video of the sound he says it's coming from under the car but I swear to God it's coming from the front of in car

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If you're seriously considering the replace the engine crap....then at least don't do it now, just keep driving it, worst that can happen is ACTUALLY having to replace the engine


But really no that doesnt sound like something to swap engines over lol

 

[Big Brian]

I would get another opinion

 

[1955moose]

Generally, when a lower end bearing starts to go out, due to oil starvation, or excessive clearance, you'll get a deep knocking sound that gets worse as engine warms up. If your noise is just on start-up, as the others said its most likely a tensioner, or something top end related. Do as they said run a good quality oil, with a Ford filter. 5w20 weight only, and in your case probably not a full synthetic oil. Semi synthetic, or standard petroleum like castrol or valvoline or better still the Ford 5w20. A noise like yours could drag on for years. Obviously if it gets worse, then its decision time.

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[Big Brian]

I am sorry that not always the case. In my many years of doing this for a living I have heard rattling on startup that goes way on engines in the very early stages of low oil pressure problems.

This is why whenever I buy a used vehicle I always insist to hear the motor startup when cold and I will feel the engine to make sure.